Our work in Scotland
With more than 85 services across Scotland, we’re at the heart of local communities
Last year we helped more than 20,000 of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children and young people. And we have big plans.
Here are some of the ways we make a difference.
All families need a bit of help from time to time. We're creating services that answer the most pressing needs.
Hundreds of families have benefited from functional family therapy (FFT) since 2012. FFT reduces offending in young people and improves family relationships.
The ground-breaking Dundee Families Project prevents homelessness. Family Support Volunteers helps vulnerable parents make positive change. And our short breaks service offers care and respite to families with disabled children.
In the past year, we’ve helped more than 1,000 young people in Scotland get job-ready.
We focus on developing practical skills and making it easy to get support:
- Youthbuild is our industry-recognised construction training programme.
- Positive Choices supports young people aged 14-24 years by providing early intervention through clear pathways from school and into positive futures.
- STAY works in four colleges in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. It provides support to children who have been part of the care system, to help them with their studies.
Our fostering service covers Scotland (CAPS) and Highlands (Gael Og). We find safe, secure and loving homes for young people aged five and above. We inspire and support carers to enjoy and excel at fostering.
Our foster families offer a secure home, wider networks and long-term therapeutic care.
With all the training Action for Children gave us we have been able to help our young person grow. Our young person is fun, full of life and brings so much love to our family.
Tanya
Our policy and campaigning work aims to ensure every child and young person in the country has a safe and happy childhood.
We have an evidence-based approach and we draw on the experience of our staff, volunteers and partners. We listen to the children, young people and families we support, to ensure their voices are heard.
We regularly respond to inquiries from the government, parliamentary committees, local authorities and other key bodies. We also produce research, briefings, and resources to influence decision makers.
Our campaigning is supported by our partnerships. We are members of End Child Poverty, Children in Scotland and the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS). We are also members of various Scottish parliament cross-party groups in order to maximise our voice.
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments (CRWIA) are an important tool we use at Action for Children to realise our bold and ambitious vision. We believe that every child and young person should have a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.
A CRWIA is a process to identify, research, analyse and record the anticipated impact of any proposed law, policy, service or other measures on children’s human rights and wellbeing. We use them to consider and review the impact of our decisions on children.
CRWIAs should act as a guide for policymakers and others. It will allow them to asses their laws, strategies, policies and the services they provide to relate to their obligation to respect the rights of children. Producing a CRWIA will minimise the negative and maximise the positive impacts on children before a measure is implemented.
CRWIAs can help us all champion the interests of children. They can challenge us to think about what more we can do to place children and young people at the centre of our decisions.
Donate, volunteer or raise funds for our work nationwide
Get in touch to learn how services can make a difference in your area.
Email: [email protected]
